Human soluble testicular adenylyl cyclase

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a newly identified human soluble adenylyl cyclase and nucleic acid sequences encoding the adenylyl cyclase. The invention further relates to methods of using the adenylyl cyclase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a targets for identifying agonists and antagonists that are selective for human soluble adenylyl cyclase. Inhibitors of human soluble adenylyl cyclase can be used as contraceptive agents.

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional patent application No. 60/230,207, filed Sep. 5, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

US GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

[0002] This invention was made with United States Government support under Grant No. HD U54 29099, P30 28934, T32 DK 07641, T32 HD 07382 U54 HD 28934, HG 00333 and D43 TW/HD 00654 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The United States Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to a novel human soluble adenylyl cyclase that is expressed in the testis. The invention also encompasses nucleic acid sequences that encode the novel soluble human adenylyl cyclase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Mammalian sperm are not able to fertilize eggs immediately after ejaculation. Fertilization capacity is acquired by spermatozoa only after residence in the distinct microenvironments of the uterus or oviduct (depending on the species) for a finite period of time. The necessary series of changes, termed capacitation, was first described independently by Chang and Austin in the early to mid 1950s. Capacitation involves molecular changes in both the sperm head and tail which allow defined physiological endpoints to occur such as motility hyperactivation, a whiplash-like sperm tail motion, and regulated acrosomal exocytosis. Hyperactivation is observed when sperm reach the oocyte and increase their flagellar bend amplitude and beat asymmetry which are thought to enhance the ability of sperm to penetrate the egg vestments by increasing forward progression and lateral flagellar thrust.

[0005] Using the mouse as an experimental model, capacitation has been demonstrated to be regulated by a cAMP-dependent pathway involving protein kinase A (PKA) (Visconti, Galantino-Homer et al. 1999, J Biol Chem 274(5): 3235-42.; Visconti, Ning et al. 1999 Dev Biol 214(2): 429-43; Visconti, Stewart-Savage et al. 1999 Biol Reprod 61(1):76-84). The presence of this regulatory pathway has subsequently been demonstrated in sperm from other species such as bovine, human, boar and hamster. Besides its function in capacitation, the role of cAMP in sperm motility has been well established (Eddy and O'Brien (1994). The Spermatozoon. The Physiology of Reproduction. E. Knobil and J. D. Neill. New York, Raven Press. 1:29-77). Cytosolic levels of cAMP increase during capacitation, and pharmacological stimulants which elevate intracellular cAMP such as the phosphodiesterase inhibitors, caffeine and pentoxifylline enhance sperm hyperactivated motility, enhance penetration of cervical mucus, increase tight binding to homologous zona pellucida, and increase fertilization rates.

[0006] Despite the advances in the understanding of cAMP metabolism in sperm, little is known about the identity and properties of the enzyme responsible for cAMP synthesis in mammalian sperm. In mammals, nine distinct adenylyl cyclase genes (“somatic adenylyl cyclases”) have been isolated and sequenced and their pattern of expression and regulatory properties have thus far been identified. The synthesis of cAMP by these somatic adenylyl cyclases is regulated by G proteins and other signaling molecules in response to stimuli such as hormones and neurotransmiters. Sperm adenylyl cyclases have different properties when compared to their somatic counterparts and these differing properties suggest that a unique isoform of adenylyl cyclase exists in mammalian sperm. In particular, some of the distinguishing properties between sperm and somatic adenylyl cyclases include:

[0007] 1) The activity ratio when measured in the presence of Mn2+or Mg2+is from 1 to 2 in somatic cyclases and from 10 to 20 in mammalian sperm cyclases.

[0008] 2) Somatic adenylyl cyclases are regulated by the stimulatory G protein and can be stimulated by A1IF4-, cholera toxin and GTP analogues, sperm cyclase activity is independent of these factors.

[0009] 3) Forskolin is a well known activator of somatic adenylyl cyclases and is not active (or only slightly active) for mammalian sperm adenylyl cyclases.

[0010] 4) Sperm adenylyl cyclase activity is the only one that can be stimulated by bicarbonate anion. No somatic cyclase respond to this anion in vivo or in vitro.

[0011] Until the present invention, all attempts to clone the human sperm adenylyl cyclase have failed. For example, the use of degenerated oligonucleotides (based on sequences with high homology between different somatic cyclases) in a RT-PCR failed isolate a sperm cyclase. One reason for this failure could be that unique catalytic domains are present in the sperm enzyme. Recently, Buck et al. (1999) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96(1):79-84 have purified and cloned from rat testis a soluble isoform of adenylyl cyclase. These authors have demonstrated that this enzyme is mainly expressed in testicular germ cells and they have recently shown that this enzyme is also present in mature sperm.

[0012] The same group has demonstrated that recombinant rat SAC can be stimulated by bicarbonate and that antibodies directed against the catalytic domain of SAC recognized proteins in testis, sperm, kidney and choroid plexus (Chen, Cann et al. 2000). However, these results have not yet been validated by microsequence of the proteins recognized by the anti SAC antibody. This is an important validation since: 1) the amount of protein from kidney and choroid plexus tissue used by Chen and coworkers was 10 times the amount of protein from sperm in the same experiment. 2) In testis and sperm, the antibody recognized a protein of high molecular weight as well as one with a lower mass. In choroid plexus and kidney the only protein recognized has a low molecular weight. 3) the cyclase assay that follows anti SAC immunoprecipitation was performed exclusively in testis extracts and not in sperm, kidney or choroid plexus. In addition there has been no report of the isolation or cloning of the human homologue of the soluble adenylyl cyclase.

[0013] The present invention is directed to the isolation and characterization of the human soluble sperm adenylyl cyclase and nucleic acids sequences encoding the same. The present invention also provides methods of screening for compounds that modulate the expression or activity of the human SAC nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) or polypeptide, respectively. In one embodiment a method is provided for identifying compounds that selectively inhibit the expression or activity of human SAC. Such inhibitory compounds can be used in pharmaceutical formulations to inhibit the ability of sperm cells to fertilize an ovum and thus provide ideal candidates as non-hormonal contraceptive agents.

[0014] Definitions

[0015] In describing and claiming the invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below.

[0016] As used herein, “nucleic acid,” “DNA,” and similar terms also include nucleic acid analogs, i.e. analogs having other than a phosphodiester backbone. For example, the so-called “peptide nucleic acids,” which are known in the art and have peptide bonds instead of phosphodiester bonds in the backbone, are considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0017] The term “peptide” encompasses a sequence of 3 or more amino acids wherein the amino acids are naturally occurring or synthetic (non-naturally occurring) amino acids. Peptide mimetics include peptides having one or more of the following modifications:

[0018] 1. peptides wherein one or more of the peptidyl —C(O)NR—linkages (bonds) have been replaced by a non-peptidyl linkage such as a —CH₂₋carbamate linkage (—CH₂OC(O)NR—), a phosphonate linkage, a —CH₂₋sulfonamide (—CH_(2—)S(O)₂NR—) linkage, a urea (—NHC(O)NH—) linkage, a —CH₂-secondary amine linkage, or with an alkylated peptidyl linkage (—C(O)NR—) wherein R is C₁₋C₄ alkyl;

[0019] 2. peptides wherein the N-terminus is derivatized to a —NRR₁ group, to a —NRC(O)R group, to a —NRC(O)OR group, to a —NRS(O)₂R group, to a —NHC(O)NHR group where R and R₁ are hydrogen or C₁₋C₄ alkyl with the proviso that R and R₁ are not both hydrogen;

[0020] 3. peptides wherein the C terminus is derivatized to —C(O)R₂ where R₂ is selected from the group consisting of C ₁-C₄ alkoxy, and —NR₃R₄ where R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋C₄ alkyl.

[0021] Naturally occurring amino acid residues in peptides are abbreviated as recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission as follows: Phenylalanine is Phe or F; Leucine is Leu or L; Isoleucine is Ile or I; Methionine is Met or M; Norleucine is Nle; Valine is Vat or V; Serine is Ser or S; Proline is Pro or P; Threonine is Thr or T; Alanine is Ala or A; Tyrosine is Tyr or Y; Histidine is His or H; Glutamine is Gln or Q; Asparagine is Asn or N; Lysine is Lys or K; Aspartic Acid is Asp or D; Glutamic Acid is Glu or E; Cysteine is Cys or C; Tryptophan is Trp or W; Arginine is Arg or R; Glycine is Gly or G, and X is any amino acid. Other naturally occurring amino acids include, by way of example, 4-hydroxyproline, 5-hydroxylysine, and the like.

[0022] Synthetic or non-naturally occurring amino acids refer to amino acids which do not naturally occur in vivo but which, nevertheless, can be incorporated into the peptide structures described herein. The resulting “synthetic peptide” contain amino acids other than the 20 naturally occurring, genetically encoded amino acids at one, two, or more positions of the peptides. For instance, naphthylalanine can be substituted for trytophan to facilitate synthesis. Other synthetic amino acids that can be substituted into peptides include L-hydroxypropyl, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanyl, alpha-amino acids such as L-alpha-hydroxylysyl and D-alpha-methylalanyl, L-alpha.-methylalanyl, beta.-amino acids, and isoquinolyl. D amino acids and non-naturally occurring synthetic amino acids can also be incorporated into the peptides. Other derivatives include replacement of the naturally occurring side chains of the 20 genetically encoded amino acids (or any L or D amino acid) with other side chains.

[0023] As used herein, the term “conservative amino acid substitution” are defined herein as exchanges within one of the following five groups:

[0024] I. Small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues:

[0025] Ala, Ser, Thr, Pro, Gly;

[0026] II. Polar, negatively charged residues and their amides:

[0027] Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln;

[0028] III. Polar, positively charged residues:

[0029] His, Arg, Lys;

[0030] IV. Large, aliphatic, nonpolar residues:

[0031] Met Leu, Ile, Val, Cys

[0032] V. Large, aromatic residues:

[0033] Phe, Tyr, Trp

[0034] As used herein, the term “isolate” and like terms relate to the purification of a molecule or compound in a form that is substantially free of contaminants normally associated with the molecule or compound in a native or natural environment.

[0035] As used herein, the term “human soluble adenylyl cyclase” or “human SAC” and like terms refers to polypeptides comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 and biologically active derivatives or fragments thereof.

[0036] As used herein, the term “biologically active derivative or fragment” or “bioactive derivative or fragment” of a human soluble adenylyl cyclase encompasses natural or synthetic portions of SEQ ID NO: 3 as well as modified versions of the SEQ ID NO: 3 polypeptide that contain multiple conservative amino acid substitutions, wherein the derivative or fragment polypeptide exhibits adenylyl cyclase activity (i.e. are capable of catalyzing the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) from adenosine triphosphate (ATP)).

[0037] “Operably linked” refers to a juxtaposition wherein the components are configured so as to perform their usual function. Thus, control sequences or promoters operably linked to a coding sequence are capable of effecting the expression of the coding sequence.

[0038] As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” encompasses any of the standard pharmaceutical carriers, such as a phosphate buffered saline solution, water and emulsions such as an oil/water or water/oil emulsion, and various types of wetting agents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The present invention is directed to the isolation and characterization of a novel human soluble adenylyl cyclase and nucleic acid sequences encoding the same. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO:4 or a derivative thereof, wherein the adenylyl cyclase is expressed in male germ line cells and the cyclase activity is stimulated by bicarbonate anion. The adenylyl cyclase of the present invention provides a useful target for identifying compounds that specifically inhibit cyclase activity in male germ line cells, thus identifying potential contraceptive agents.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041]FIG. 1 Expression pattern of the human homologue of SAC in various tissues. A Northern blot was performed using a commercially available human tissue blot (Clontech, Lane1=heart; Lane 2=brain; Lane 3=placenta; Lane 4=lung; Lane 5=liver; Lane 6=skeletal muscle; Lane 7=kidney; Lane 8=pancreas; Lane 9=spleen; Lane 10=thymus; Lane 11=prostate; Lane 12=testis; Lane 13=ovary; Lane 14=small intestine; Lane 15=colon; Lane 16=PBLs). cDNA containing the catalytic domain (SEQ ID NO: 4) was random primed-radiolabeled and hybridized to Clontech tissue northern blot. The hybridized membrane was exposed for 4 days, exposure for longer time did not show other transcripts. The lower panel represents the same northern blot probed with an actin specific sequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Despite the availability of a large range of contraceptive methods, in the U.S. alone, over 50% of pregnancies are unintended. Thus, there is a critical need for contraception that better fits the diverse needs of women and men and take into consideration different ethnic, cultural and religious values. Development of effective, safe and acceptable contraceptive drugs is a major component of the women's health agenda. In this respect, the soluble testicular cyclase offers new opportunities as a novel target for contraception.

[0043] The present invention is directed to the isolation a novel human soluble adenylyl cyclase (human SAC) and its use to identify inhibitors of human SAC that can be used as contraceptive agents. Human SAC's suitability as a target for identifying new contraceptive agents derives from several general properties of testicular soluble adenylyl cyclases. First, from published reports (Buck, Sinclair et al. 1999; Sinclair, Wang et al. 2000) and data presented herein, this enzyme appears to be mainly expressed in germ cells and in placenta, as seen by northern blotting. Second its sequence is unique and has very little homology to other somatic adenylyl cyclases, which supports the likelihood of finding specific inhibitors for its activity. Third, the importance of cAMP for sperm function suggests that the inhibition of its synthesis with a specific drug will inhibit fertilization. Finally, the fact that adenylyl cyclase activity is essential for sperm motility and capacitation suggests that an inhibitor of sperm adenylyl cyclase could be used both in male and female in order to interrupt fertilization.

[0044] One aspect of the present invention is directed to human soluble adenylyl cyclase (human SAC) protein itself and the nucleic acid sequences encoding the enzyme. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4, or an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 3 by one or more conservative amino acid substitutions. In one embodiment, the isolated polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 3 by 20 or less conservative amino acid substitutions, and more preferably by 10 or less conservative amino acid substitutions, and retains adenylyl cyclase activity. Alternatively, the polypeptide may comprise an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 3 by 1 to 5 alterations, wherein the alterations are independently selected from a single amino acid deletion, insertion or substitution.

[0045] The present invention also encompasses nucleic acid sequences that encode the human soluble adenylyl cyclase. In particular the present invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or fragments thereof. In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid is provided that comprises at least 50 (contiguous) nucleotides, 100 nucleotides, 200 nucleotides, or 500 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 2. In one embodiment the nucleic acid sequence consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0046] The present invention also includes nucleic acids that hybridize (under conditions defined herein) to all or a portion of the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement. The hybridizing portion of the hybridizing nucleic acids is typically at least 15 (e.g., 20, 25, 30, or 50) nucleotides in length. Hybridizing nucleic acids of the type described herein can be used, for example, as a cloning probe, a primer (e.g., a PCR primer), or a diagnostic probe to detect the expression of the human SAC gene. It is anticipated that the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or fragments thereof can be used to distinguish between the expression of somatic and soluble adenylyl cyclase genes or as probes to detect homologous genes from other vertebrate species.

[0047] Nucleic acid duplex or hybrid stability is expressed as the melting temperature or Tm, which is the temperature at which a nucleic acid duplex dissociates into its component single stranded DNAs. This melting temperature is used to define the required stringency conditions. Typically a 1% mismatch results in a 1° C. decrease in the Tm, and the temperature of the final wash in the hybridization reaction is reduced accordingly (for example, if two sequences having >95% identity, the final wash temperature is decreased from the Tm by 5° C.). In practice, the change in Tm can be between 0.5° C. and 1.5° C. per 1% mismatch.

[0048] The present invention is directed to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 and nucleic acid sequences that hybridize to that sequence (or fragments thereof) under stringent or highly stringent conditions. In accordance with the present invention highly stringent conditions are defined as conducting the hybridization and wash conditions at no lower than −5° C. Tm. Stringent conditions are defined as involve hybridizing at 68° C. in 5×SSC/5×Denhardt's solution/1.0% SDS, and washing in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C. Moderately stringent conditions include hybridizing at 68° C. in 5×SSC/5×Denhardt's solution/1.0% SDS and washing in 3×SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C. Additional guidance regarding such conditions is readily available in the art, for example, by Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, N.Y.; and Ausubel et al. (eds.), 1995, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, (John Wiley & Sons, N.Y.) at Unit 2.10.

[0049] The present invention is also directed to amino acid sequences that are variants of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein the variant is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 under stringent conditions or highly stringent conditions. Such polypeptides are anticipated to include allelic variants of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding the human soluble adenylyl cyclase can be inserted into expression vectors and used to transfect cells to produce transgenic cells. In accordance with one embodiment, nucleic acid sequences encoding human soluble adenylyl cyclase are inserted into a eukaryotic expression vector in a manner that operably links the gene sequences to the appropriate regulatory sequences, and human soluble adenylyl cyclase is expressed in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells host cell. Suitable eukaryotic host cells and vectors are known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment the nucleic acid sequence to be operably linked to the expression vector regulatory sequences is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 6. One aspect of the present invention is directed to transgenic cell lines that contain recombinant genes that express human soluble adenylyl cyclase and fragments of the human SAC coding sequence. The present invention also includes non-human transgenic organisms wherein one or more of the cells of the transgenic organism comprise a recombinant gene that expresses the human soluble cyclase.

[0051] The present invention also encompasses a method for producing human SAC. The method comprises the steps of introducing a nucleic acid sequence comprising sequences encoding the human SAC into a host cell, and culturing the host cell under conditions that allow for expression of the introduced human SAC gene. In one preferred embodiment the nucleic acid sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a sequence that binds to SEQ ID NO: 2 under stringent conditions, operably linked to a promoter. In one embodiment the promoter is a conditional or inducible promoter, alternatively the promoter may be a tissue specific or temporal restricted promoter (i.e. operably linked genes are only expressed in a specific tissue or at a specific time).

[0052] In accordance with one embodiment a composition is provided comprising a peptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or an antigenic fragment thereof. In one embodiment the antigenic fragment consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. The compositions can be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or adjuvants and administered to a mammalian species to induce an immune response.

[0053] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the isolated antibodies that are generated against human soluble adenylyl cyclase or fragments thereof. In accordance with the present invention antibodies are provided that bind to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4. These antibodies can be formulated with standard carriers and optionally labeled to prepare therapeutic or diagnostic compositions. Antibodies to human soluble adenylyl cyclase may be generated using methods that are well known in the art. Such antibodies may include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric (i.e “humanized” antibodies), single chain (recombinant), Fab fragments, and fragments produced by a Fab expression library. These antibodies can be used to confirm the cellular expression of human soluble adenylyl cyclase, or in assays to monitor patients being treated with human soluble adenylyl cyclase antagonists or inhibitors. The antibodies may be used with or without modification, and may be labeled by joining them, either covalently or non-covalently, with a reporter molecule.

[0054] In accordance with one embodiment an antibody is provided that specifically binds to the protein of SEQ ID NO: 3. More preferably, the antibody binds to the human soluble adenylyl cyclase catalytic domain of SEQ ID NO: 4. In one preferred embodiment the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. The present invention also provides a method for detecting the presence of human soluble adenylyl cyclase. The method comprises the steps of contacting a sample with a labeled compound that specifically binds to human SAC, removing unbound and non-specific bond material and detecting the presence of the labeled compound. In one embodiment the labeled compound comprises an antibody that is labeled directly or indirectly (i.e. via a labeled secondary antibody).

[0055] One aspect of the present invention is directed to therapeutic and diagnostic methods and compositions based on human SAC proteins and nucleic acids. Alterations in cAMP signal transduction pathway have been associated with diseases such asthma, cancer, inflamation, hypertension, atherosclerosis and heart failure. The identification of the present novel andenylate cyclase allows for the identification of compounds that specifically modulate cyclase activity associated with a particular disease state. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods of screening for agents, small molecules, or proteins that interact with human SAC. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods of identifying inhibitors of human SAC activity. The invention encompasses both in vivo and in vitro assays to screen small molecules, compounds, recombinant proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, antibodies etc. that modulate the activity of human SAC and are thus useful as contraceptive agents. Preferably, the method of screening for inhibitors of human SAC utilizes high throughput technology.

[0056] In one embodiment the human SAC polypeptide, or bioactive fragments thereof, is used to isolate ligands that bind to the human SAC polypeptide under physiological conditions. The method comprises the steps of contacting the human SAC polypeptide with a mixture of compounds under physiological conditions, removing unbound and non-specifically bound material, and isolating the compounds that remain bound to the human SAC polypeptides. Typically, the human SAC polypeptide will be bound to a solid support using standard techniques to allow rapid screening compounds. The solid support can be selected from any surface that has been used to immobilize biological compounds and includes but is not limited to polystyrene, agarose, silica or nitrocellulose. In one embodiment the solid surface comprises functionalized silica or agarose beads. Screening for such compounds can be accomplished using libraries of pharmaceutical agents and standard techniques known to the skilled practitioner.

[0057] In accordance with one embodiment, compounds will be isolated based on their ability to suppress or inhibit the expression of the human SAC gene. Preferably the compound will selectively inhibit the human SAC gene, without interfering with the expression of the somatic adenylyl cyclase genes. The method comprises the steps of contacting a cell that expresses the human SAC gene with a potential inhibitor compound, and measuring the expression of the human SAC gene. The expression of the somatic adenylyl cyclases, in the presence and absence of the potential inhibitor will also be investigated.

[0058] In one embodiment, compounds will be isolated based on their ability to suppress or inhibit the enzymatic activity of human SAC. The method is based on measuring the amount of cAMP generated in vitro when a solution of ATP and the human adenylyl cyclase are incubated in the presence and absence of a potential inhibitory compound. In particular, the method for detecting compounds that inhibit human soluble adenylyl cyclase activity comprises the steps of contacting human SAC with a potential inhibitory compound, measuring adenylyl cyclase activity in the presence and absence of said compound; and identifying those compounds that decrease the activity of adenylyl cyclase. In one preferred embodiment the human SAC comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4, and more particularly, the SAC consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0059] Those compounds that exhibit activity as inhibitors of human SAC can be further tested for use as contraceptive agents. For example the inhibitory compounds will be tested to isolate compounds that inhibit human SAC, but fail to substantially inhibit one or more of the somatic adenylyl cyclases. Preferably the cyclase inhibitory compound will decrease human SAC's ability to convert ATP to cAMP without substantially impacting any of the nine somatic adenylyl cyclase's ability to convert ATP to cAMP. cAMP production may be readily measured using methods which are well known in the art, including, for example, methods described by Salomon et al. (Anal. Biochem. 58:541-548, 1976) or Krishna et al. (J. Phamacol. Exp. Ther. 163:379, 1968), or, preferably, using commercially available kits such as the Scintillation Proximity Assay Kit from Amersham Corporation. The Scintillation Proximity Assay Kit measures the production of cAMP by competition of iodinated-cAMP with anti-cAMP antibodies. The amount of adenylyl cyclase activity is then determined based on radioimmunoassay measurements of cAMP formed from ATP.

[0060] In one embodiment, the present invention encompasses compositions that can be placed in contact with sperm cells to inhibit the function of the human soluble adenylyl cyclase (i.e. either by inhibiting the expression of human soluble adenylyl cyclase or by interfering with the protein's function). Accordingly, the invention encompasses antibodies, nucleotide constructs and other compounds that inhibit the expression of the human soluble adenylyl cyclase gene (transcription factor inhibitors, antisense and ribozyme molecules, or gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs) as well as antagonists of cyclase activity.

[0061] Compositions comprising an antagonist of human SAC function (i.e. compounds that inhibit expression of the cyclase gene or compounds that interfere with cyclase enzymatic activity) can be used to interfere with the capacitation of vertebrate sperm, and used as contraceptive agents. Furthermore, antibodies against the human SAC protein can be used for the diagnosis of conditions or diseases characterized by expression or overexpression of human SAC, or in assays to monitor patients being treated with human SAC agonists, antagonists or inhibitors.

EXAMPLE 1

[0062] Cloning and Characterization of the Human Homologue of the Rat Soluble Testicular Adenylyl Cyclase

[0063] Primers were designed based on the rat SAC sequence and used to PCR amplify human SAC using human testicular cDNA from a Marathon ready human testicular cDNA library (Clontech, Palo Alto,Ca) in a 25 ul assay system for 40 cycles. PCR products were separated on a 1.0% NuSieve agarose gel. The desired DNA fragments from every PCR product were isolated reamplified cloned into the pCR 2.1-TOPO vector. The complementary DNA clones were sequenced in both directions using vector-derived and insert specific primers using a Perkin-Elmer Applied Biosystems DNA sequencer with Big Dye Terminator Chemistry and Taq DNA polymerase. The full length human soluble testicular adenylyl cyclase gene has been sequenced (see SEQ ID NO: 1) and posted in Genbank (accession No #AF299350). The nucleotide and amino acid sequence data were analyzed using GCG programme package and the homology between the rat sequence and the human sequence was determined to be 80% at the nucleotide level.

[0064] The full length human SAC cDNA was 5050 bp containing a short 5′ UTR of 185 bp, an ATG encoding the initiator methionine at bp 186, a stop codon TAA at bp 5016, an “alternative” polyadenylation signal at bp 5041-5046, and a polyA tail starting at bp 5051. The SAC cDNA contained an open reading frame of 1610 amino acids encoding a protein estimated at 187 kDa, pI 6.99. The deduced peptide sequence was 77% identical to the rat SAC protein including two highly conserved N-terminal cyclase catalytic domains and an ATP/GTP-binding site motif A (P-loop) at amino acids 516-523. In addition, a C-terminal leucine zipper domain starting at amino acid 1064 and two tetratricopeptide repeat domains (a.a. 1131-1164 and 1511-1544) thought to be involved in protein-protein interactions were identified. The SAC gene locus contained 33 exons and mapped to chromosome 1q24.

[0065] Northern blots containing poly (A)+RNA from sixteen human tissues (Lane 1=heart; Lane 2=brain; Lane 3=placenta; Lane 4=lung; Lane 5=liver; Lane 6=skeletal muscle; Lane 7=kidney; Lane 8=pancreas; Lane 9=spleen; Lane 10=thymus; Lane 11=prostate; Lane 12=testis; Lane 13=ovary; Lane 14=small intestine; Lane 15=colon; Lane 16=PBLs) were hybridized with a ³²P labeled probe containing the random primed-radiolabeled 5′ sequence of the human SAC coding region (SEQ ID NO: 2) to determine tissue specificity. As shown in FIG. 1) two transcripts of approximately 4 and 4.4 kb were identified in testis and placenta. An additional transcript of 6 kb hybridized with catalytic SAC in testis, suggesting alternative splicing. The hybridized membrane was exposed for 4 days, exposure for longer time did not show other transcripts. To demonstrate that intact MRNA was present in each tissue, each membrane was stripped and probed with labeled P actin cDNA probe.

[0066] Utilizing virtual Northern analysis, SAC expression was identified in a number of cancers including breast carcinoma (and normal breast), oligodendroglioma, glioblastoma multiforme, astrocytoma, (and normal cerebullum and normal brain), colon adenocarcinoma, prostate carcinoma, and (normal ovary). Accordingly, human SAC may serve as a diagnostic for imaging tumors. In addition human SAC may serve as the basis for the generation of anti-cancer therapies, including the use of antibodies directed against human SAC.

[0067] Hydropathy analysis of the encoded protein showed that SAC may be a transmembrane protein containing 5 transmembrane domains with N-terminal intracellular and C-terminal extracellular domains. Interestingly, the adenylate cyclase domains are largely in the N-terminal intracellular domain. This membrane topology remains to be experimentally established.

EXAMPLE 2

[0068] Generation of Antibodies Against the Catalytic Domain of SAC.

[0069] The cDNA sequence encoding the SAC catalytic domains (bp 306-1529) was cloned into the pET28b vector and used to express recombinant SAC protein (recSAC) containing a C-terminal His-tag. In particular, primers were designed to create an NdeI site at the 5′ end and an XhoI site at the 3′ end of the catalytic domain. The amplified products were ligated into the NdeI-XhoI sites of pET28b, a 6 His-tag expression vector. Recombinant SAC (recSAC) was purified by immobilized metal (Ni) affinity chromatography and used to generate rat antibodies for Western blot analysis and immunolocalization of the human SAC protein in testis and sperm.

[0070] Two separate approaches were used to generate antibodies against human SAC. In the first approach recombinant human SAC purified by chromatography was used to immunize rats. In a second approach a stretch of 16 amino acids (CTLKPDPELEMSLQKY; SEQ ID NO: 5) from the catalytic domain of SAC were uscd to generate antipeptide antibodies in rabbits. These antisera were custom prepared by Biosource International/QCB Division, MA. Both polyclonal antibodies, the rat generated anti rSAC and the rabbit anti peptide antibody recognized recombinant catalytic SAC in western blots. Both antibodies also recognized a 100 kDa band in human sperm extracts that is not observed when the respective preimmune sera were used.

[0071] To validate the specificity of these antibodies, immunoreactive proteins will be cut from two dimensional gels and microsequenced. Once validated, the specific antibodies against human SAC will be used in immunofluorescence experiments and immunoelectromicroscopy to investigate the subcellular localization of this enzyme. Since sperm are compartmentalized cells, the localization of human SAC will give information about whether this enzyme has a role in motility, in the events that precede the acrosome reaction or in the regulation of both events.

[0072] In order to perform immunolocalization and immunoblotting experiments human sperm will be collected from healthy donors and purified using Percoll (Pharnacia Biotech, Upsala, Sweden) density gradient centrifugation as previously described (Naaby-Hansen, Flickinger et al. 1997). Sperm will be then resuspended to a final concentration of 2×10⁷ cells/ml. In particular for SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting sperm will be pelleted by centrifugation, washed in 1 ml of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), resuspended in sample buffer (Laemmli 1970) without mercaptoethanol and boiled for 5 min. After centrifuging, the supernatant will be saved, 2-mercaptoethanol will be added to a final concentration of 5%, boiled for 5 min., and then subjected to 10% SDS-PAGE. Protein concentration will be determined by ABC kit from Pierce. For tissue specificity at protein level commercially available multiple tissue protein blots will be used. Electrophoretic transfer of proteins to Immobilon P and immunodetection will be carried out as previously described (Kalab, Visconti et al. 1994, J Biol Chem 269(5): 3810-7). Gels will be stained either with silver, coomasie blue or will be transferred to immobilon PVDF (Millipore) and probed with anti recombinant soluble testicular adenylyl cyclase antibodies.

[0073] For isolating sperm proteins for two dimensional gel analysis, human sperm will be solubilized in a lysis buffer and isoelectrofocusing will be performed followed by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE using linear gradients as described previously (Naaby-Hansen, Flickinger et al. 1997, Biol Reprod 56(3): 771-87). Gels will be transferred to Immobilon P and blot with anti SAC antibodies. Protein(s) recognized will be cut and microsequenced using the University of Virginia W. M. Keck Biomedical Mass Spectrometry laboratory facility. In order to identify the exact location of an immunoreactive antigen in the complex 2Dprotein pattern, antibody incubations will be preceded by staining with Protogold (Goldmark Biologicals, Phillipsburg, N.J.) following the manufacturer's instructions.

[0074] For immunofluorescence analysis sperm will be treated in the appropriate experimental conditions, fixed in suspension with a solution of 3% (w/v) paraformaldehyde-0.05% (v/v) glutaraldehyde in PBS for 1 h, washed in PBS at 37 C, and then permeabilized with 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 in PBS at 37 C for 10 min. The sperm will be then washed in PBS and incubated overnight with serial dilutions (5, 10, 50 and 100) of the appropriate antibody. After washing the sperm with PBS, they will be incubated with FITC-coupled goat anti mouse IgG and then attached to poly-lysine-coated microscope slides. Following 3 X washes with PBS, the slides will be mounted with fluoromont and fluorescence will be assessed.

[0075] Experiments from Chen and coworkers demonstrated that the enzymatic activity of rat SAC could be modulated by bicarbonate. It is expected that human SAC will be also regulated by this anion. To demonstrate this hypothesis the full length and the catalytic domain will be expressed in bacteria and/or yeast and cyclase activity will be measured. The activity will be measured in the presence or absence of different concentrations of bicarbonate (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 50 mM) as described previously (Visconti, Moore et al. 1995 Development 121(4): 1139-50).

EXAMPLE 3

[0076] Isolation of Specific Inhibitors of the Human Soluble Testicular Adenylyl Cyclase.

[0077] Adenylyl cyclase is a central component of signaling pathways both in the sperm and in the testis, and therefore specific inhibitors of this enzymatic activity are likely to inhibit sperm's ability to fertilize and/or the spermatogenic process. Since the soluble testicular cyclase has a unique sequence that differs from somatic adenylyl cyclase it should be possible to find specific inhibitors of this soluble cyclase that do not affect other enzymatic activities.

[0078] To identify enzyme inhibitors of human SAC two different approaches will be utilized. In the first approach an assay is used that allow the screening of thousand of compounds for compounds that inhibit human SAC activity. In addition to this approach the crystal structure of the enzyme will be determined and inhibitory compounds will prepared based on that crystaline structure. For both approaches it is necessary that sufficient quantities of the enzyme be available and that the enzyme be correctly folded.

[0079] The catalytic domain of the human soluble testicular adenylyl cyclase has been expressed in bacteria and this protein was used to generate antibodies in rats. An independent validation of the expressed protein was performed using the antipeptide antibody against SEQ ID NO: 5 (described in Example 1). Recombinant catalytic SAC was found to be present in the bacterial insoluble fraction. Before attempting to produce high amounts of the recombinant domain of SAC, the enzyme will be solubilized in urea and refolded by dialysis against an isotonic buffer. This buffer consists on 150 mM NaCl, Tris/HCl 50 mM pH 7.5, protease inhibitors (leupeptin 10 ug/ml and aprotinin 10 ug/ml) and a small concentration of detergent (triton X100 0.1%). The urea concentration will be reduced in several steps to maximize the correct refolding of the protein. The presence of Triton has already demonstrated that it does not affect sperm cyclase enzymatic activity. The correct refolding of recombinant SAC catalytic domain will be tested using a cyclase assay. If the refolded enzyme is active it will also be tested for the regulation with bicarbonate anion.

[0080] A similar approach will be taken to express human SAC in yeasts. In summary, the catalytic domain will be subcloned in pPICZaB vector from Invitrogen (CA) and will be expressed in Pichia pastoris as secreted protein as well as an intracellular protein. These constructs have a C-terminal His tag that will allow an easy purification of the recombinant protein either from the culture media or from the extracted cells.

[0081] Measuring Adenylyl Cyclase Activity in Vitro

[0082] In one embodiment, adenylyl cyclase activity will be measured by the conversion of [α−³²P] ATP to [³²P] cAMP. The assay will be carried out for 20 min. at 37° C. in the presence of 50 mM Hepes, 1.5 mM MgCl₂ or MnCl₂, 10 mM KCl, 4 mM DTT, 1 mM 3 MX, 16 μg creatine kinase, 3.2 mM creatine phosphate and 2.5 μCi (α−³²P} ATP, pH 7.6 in a final volume of 30 ml. The assay will be started by addition of 8 μl of cell suspension containing 0.5-1.2 μg of protein, and will be terminated by the addition of 25 μl of the termination buffer (36.4 mM ATP, 10 mM cAMP, 1% SDS and 300 cpm [³H] cAMP) followed by heating in boiling water batch for 5 min. The [³²P] cAMP will be purified following chromatography using Dowex and Alumina columns and the [³H] cAMP will be used as an internal standard for the evaluation of recovery.

[0083] The preferred method, especially for high throughput screening, for measuring the cAMP synthesized by recombinant SAC will be through the use of an radioimmunoassay (RIA). Briefly, fluorescently labeled anti cAMP antibody will be excited by iodinated cAMP only when cAMP is bound to the antibody. By competing the iodinated cAMP with the cAMP synthesized in the assay, it is possible to measure cyclase activity in a single tube. This methodology has been previously described in the literature at Steiner, et al., 1972 J. Biol. Chem. 247: 1114-1120 as modified in Visconti and Tezon, Biol. Reprod., 1989 40: 223-231. lodinated cAMP is commercially available through New England Nuclear and from Amersham

[0084] Determining the Crystal Structure of the Catalytic Domain of the Human SAC

[0085] Approximately five milligrams of protein is generally deemed a suitable quantity for initial crystallization trials. It is envisaged that initial trials will be performed on the catalytic domain of the intact protein; this is a common crystallization technique that has proven to be successful in many cases, including several structural studies of soluble mammalian cyclases. Prior to crystallization, the expressed fragment would be screened for a suitable level of enzymatic activity as well as for purity, homogeneity and high solubility. Several commercially available crystallization screening kits, used in conjunction with the hanging drop vapor diffusion method, provide the standard first step in the search for crystal growth conditions. Crystallization screening of the fragment in the presence of catalytically required metal ions, substrates and/or inhibitors will be carried out simultaneously with the screen of the apoenzyme. In the case of the soluble adenylyl cyclase, crystallization in the presence of bicarbonate will be attempted in order to establish a molecular basis for the stimulatory properties of this anion.

[0086] If necessary, other standard screening methods may be employed. If these do not result in promising conditions, a reevaluation of the biophysical solution properties of the fragment may point to a modification of the construct used for expression. Once initial crystallization conditions are obtained, they will be optimized in order to obtain crystals that diffract to at least 3.0 A resolution. Direct phasing of the structure via the MAD (multiple wavelength anomalous dispersion) and MIR (multiple isomorphous replacement) techniques would be carried out simultaneously, to guarantee success. Phasing via the molecular replacement technique would likely fail due to the lack of sufficient sequence identity between the testis-specific cyclase and the structurally characterized cyclases. Semi-automated model-building and refinement techniques for phased structures would be utilized to achieve rapid structural results. Once a structure is obtained the results will be analyzed with a view to understanding the unique role of the soluble testicular cyclase in sperm capacitation. The crystalline structure will be used as a template for the design of specific inhibitors of testicular cyclase, which may prove useful as contraceptives.

1 6 1 5061 DNA Homo sapiens 1 gacagacatg gcgcttcagc tgtcttcaga ataatgtcac ccggcctcct ctcctgtctt 60 ctgcagtctt aaaagaccta gtccctaact gaggtctggc ttttcctcag ccctggatga 120 agtggagaag acctatttgg agactgcttc ctgtcaccat aaaatcctga acatttgtct 180 tgaacatgaa cactccaaaa gaagaattcc aggactggcc catagtcaga atagcagctc 240 atttaccaga cctcattgtc tatggacatt tctccccaga gcgacccttt atggattatt 300 ttgacggagt cctgatgttt gttgatattt caggttttac tgcaatgact gagaagttca 360 gcagtgccat gtacatggac agaggggctg agcagttggt ggagatcctc aactaccaca 420 taagtgcaat agtggagaaa gtgttgattt ttggaggaga catcctgaaa tttgcaggtg 480 atgcactgct agccctgtgg agggtggagc gaaagcagct gaaaaacatt atcacagtgg 540 taattaaatg tagcctggag atccatggat tgtttgagac ccaggagtgg gaagaaggcc 600 tagacatccg agtcaagata ggactggctg ctggccacat cagcatgttg gtctttggag 660 atgaaacaca cagccacttt ctggtgattg gtcaggcagt ggacgatgtg cgccttgccc 720 agaacatggc tcagatgaat gatgttattc tgtcaccaaa ctgctggcag ctctgtgacc 780 ggagcatgat tgaaattgag agtgttccag atcagagagc agttaaggtt aacttcttaa 840 aaccaccccc caattttaat tttgatgaat ttttcacaaa gtgtacgacc ttcatgcatt 900 attatccttc tggtgagcac aaaaacctcc tgaggcttgc atgcacgctg aagcctgatc 960 ctgaactgga gatgtcccta caaaagtatg tgatggaaag cattttgaag cagattgata 1020 acaaacagct tcagggctat ttatctgagc ttcgcccagt gacgattgtg tttgtgaacc 1080 tgatgtttga agaccaagac aaagcagaag agataggccc agccatccag gatgcctata 1140 tgcacatcac ttctgtcctg aagatcttcc aaggccaaat caataaagtc ttcatgtttg 1200 acaagggctg ctctttcctc tgtgtctttg gcttccctgg ggaaaaggta cctgacgagc 1260 tcactcatgc tctggaatgt gctatggata tatttgactt ctgctctcaa gtccacaaaa 1320 tccaaactgt atccatcggt gttgccagtg ggattgtctt ctgtgggatc gttggacaca 1380 ctgtgagaca cgagtacaca gtcattggtc aaaaagtcaa cttagctgcc aggatgatga 1440 tgtactaccc aggaattgtg acctgcgact ctgtcaccta caatgggagc aacctaccag 1500 cgtacttttt taaagagctt ccaaagaaag ttatgaaagg tgttgcagat tctggaccat 1560 tgtatcagta ttggggccgt actgagaaag tcatgtttgg tatggcgtgc ctcatctgca 1620 acagaaagga ggattaccct ttgctgggac gtaataaaga gatcaactac ttcatgtata 1680 ctatgaagaa atttttgata tctaacagca gccaagtctt aatgtatgag ggattaccag 1740 gatatggaaa aagccagata cttatgaaaa ttgagtacct ggcccaaggt aagaatcaca 1800 ggattattgc catttcattg aataagatca gcttccatca aactttctat accatccaga 1860 tgttcatggc caatgtccta ggcctagaca cttgtaaaca ttataaagaa cgacagacca 1920 accttcgaaa taaagtcatg acactgttgg atgaaaagtt ctactgtctt cttaatgaca 1980 ttttccatgt tcagttccct atttctcggg agatttccag gatgagcacc ttgaaaaagc 2040 aaaaacaatt ggaaatattg tttatgaaga tcttgaagct gatagtgaaa gaggaaagga 2100 ttatttttat cattgatgag gcccagtttg tggattcgac ctcctggaga tttatggaga 2160 agcttatccg gactcttcct atcttcatca ttatgtccct gtgtcccttc gttaacattc 2220 cctgtgcagc tgccagggcc gtaataaaga acaggaacac cacctacatt gtcattggtg 2280 cagtacagcc taacgacatc tccaacaaga tctgtcttga cctcaatgtg agctgcatct 2340 ccaaagaact ggactcgtac ctgggggagg gaagctgtgg gattccattt tactgtgaag 2400 aattgcttaa aaacctggaa catcatgagg tactcgtttt ccaacaaacg gagtctgagg 2460 aaaagacaaa taggacctgg aataacctgt tcaagtattc cattaagcta acagagaagt 2520 taaacatggt tactctccat agtgataagg aaagtgaaga agtctgtcac ctcacaagtg 2580 gtgtcagact gaaaaacctg tcacctccaa cgtcattaaa agaaatctct ctgatccagc 2640 tggatagcat gagactttcc caccaaatgc tggtgagatg tgctgccatc attggcctga 2700 ccttcaccac tgagttgttg tttgagattc tcccctgttg gaatatgaag atgatgatca 2760 agaccctggc aaccctagtg gaatctaaca ttttttattg tttccggaat ggcaaggagc 2820 ttcaaaaggc cctgaaacag aatgatccct catttgaggt gcactatcgt tccttgtctc 2880 tgaagcccag tgaagggatg gatcacggtg aagaggaaca gcttcgtgaa ctggagaatg 2940 aggtgatcga gtgccacagg attcgattct gtaaccctat gatgcagaaa acagcctacg 3000 agctgtggct caaggaccag agaaaagcca tgcacttgaa atgtgcccgc tttttagaag 3060 aagatgccca cagatgtgac cactgccgag gcagggactt cattccctat catcacttca 3120 cagtgaatat tcggctcaac gctttagaca tggatgccat taaaaagatg gctatgtctc 3180 atggatttaa aactgaagaa aagcttatct tgtccaactc agagattcct gagacatctg 3240 cattttttcc tgaaaatcgc agtcctgaag aaataagaga aaagatcttg aatttctttg 3300 accacgtttt aacaaaaatg aagacatctg acgaagacat tatccctctg gaatcttgcc 3360 agtgtgaaga aatcctagag attgtcatct tgcctctggc ccaccatttt ctggctttgg 3420 gagaaaatga caaagcctta tattacttct tagaaattgc atctgcttat ctcatctttt 3480 gtgataacta catggcatac atgtatttga atgaaggaca gaagttgcta aaaactctca 3540 agaaggacaa atcttggagc cagacatttg agtctgccac cttttacagc ctcaaaggtg 3600 aggtctgttt caatatgggc cagatagtgc ttgccaagaa aatgctgagg aaggcactga 3660 agctcctcaa ccgaatcttt ccttacaact taatctcctt gtttctccat atccatgtcg 3720 agaaaaacag acactttcat tatgtgaatc ggcaggccca agagagccca cctccaggga 3780 agaagaggct ggcacaactt taccggcaaa ctgtctgcct ttccttgctg tggcgcatct 3840 atagctacag ttatcttttt cactgcaagt attatgccca cctggcagtt atgatgcaaa 3900 tgaatactgc actggaaact caaaattgtt tccagatcat taaggcttac ctagactatt 3960 cgctatacca ccacctggct ggctacaaag gtgtgtggtt caaatatgaa gtcatggcca 4020 tggagcacat cttcaacctc cccctgaaag gcgagggcat tgaaatcgtg gcatacgtgg 4080 ctgagacact ggtcttcaac aagctcataa tgggacacct ggatttggcc attgagttag 4140 gctcccgagc ccttcagatg tgggcactgc tccagaatcc caaccgacat tatcagtccc 4200 tctgcagact tagcagatgt ctccttctga acagtagata cccgcaattg atccaggtgc 4260 cggggcggct gtgggagctt tctgtaacac aggaacacat cttcagcaag gcatttttct 4320 attttgtctg cttggacatc ctgctttatt ctggttttgt ttatagaaca tttgaagaat 4380 gtttggaatt catacaccaa tacgaaaaca acagaatcct caagttccac agtggactcc 4440 tcctgggact ttattcctct gtagctatct ggtatgccag acttcaggaa tgggacaact 4500 tttacaaatt ttccaataga gctaaaaatc ttttgccaag aagaaccatg acacttactt 4560 actatgacgg aatatctagg tacatggagg ggcaagttct tcaccttcaa aaacaaatca 4620 aagaacagtc agagaatgcc caagccagtg gggaggagct actcaagaac ttggagaatc 4680 tggtggctca aaataccact ggccctgtct tttgcccaag gctctaccac ctgatggctt 4740 acgtctgtat attaatggga gatgggcaga aatgtggcct cttcctgaac acagccttgc 4800 ggctctctga aacacagggg aatatactgg agaaatgctg gctgaacatg aacaaagaat 4860 catggtactc aacctctgag ttaaaagaag accaatggct tcagacgatc ttgagtctcc 4920 catcatggga aaaaattgta gcaggcaggg taaacattca ggatcttcaa aaaaacaaat 4980 tcctgatgag agctaatacc gtggacaatc atttctaaca tgtcaaagaa aaaagatttt 5040 aataagcact aaaaaaaaaa a 5061 2 5009 DNA Homo sapiens 2 ggcgcttcag ctgtcttcag aataatgtca cccggcctcc tctcctgtct tctgcagtct 60 taaaagacct agtccctaac tgaggtctgg cttttcctca gccctggatg aagtggagaa 120 gacctatttg gagactgctt cctgtcacca taaaatcctg aacatttgtc ttgaacatga 180 acactccaaa agaagaattc caggactggc ccatagtcag aatagcagct catttaccag 240 acctcattgt ctatggacat ttctccccag agcgaccctt tatggattat tttgacggag 300 tcctgatgtt tgttgatatt tcaggtttta ctgcaatgac tgagaagttc agcagtgcca 360 tgtacatgga cagaggggct gagcagttgg tggagatcct caactaccac ataagtgcaa 420 tagtggagaa agtgttgatt tttggaggag acatcctgaa atttgcaggt gatgcactgc 480 tagccctgtg gagggtggag cgaaagcagc tgaaaaacat tatcacagtg gtaattaaat 540 gtagcctgga gatccatgga ttgtttgaga cccaggagtg ggaagaaggc ctagacatcc 600 gagtcaagat aggactggct gctggccaca tcagcatgtt ggtctttgga gatgaaacac 660 acagccactt tctggtgatt ggtcaggcag tggacgatgt gcgccttgcc cagaacatgg 720 ctcagatgaa tgatgttatt ctgtcaccaa actgctggca gctctgtgac cggagcatga 780 ttgaaattga gagtgttcca gatcagagag cagttaaggt taacttctta aaaccacccc 840 ccaattttaa ttttgatgaa tttttcacaa agtgtacgac cttcatgcat tattatcctt 900 ctggtgagca caaaaacctc ctgaggcttg catgcacgct gaagcctgat cctgaactgg 960 agatgtccct acaaaagtat gtgatggaaa gcattttgaa gcagattgat aacaaacagc 1020 ttcagggcta tttatctgag cttcgcccag tgacgattgt gtttgtgaac ctgatgtttg 1080 aagaccaaga caaagcagaa gagataggcc cagccatcca ggatgcctat atgcacatca 1140 cttctgtcct gaagatcttc caaggccaaa tcaataaagt cttcatgttt gacaagggct 1200 gctctttcct ctgtgtcttt ggcttccctg gggaaaaggt acctgacgag ctcactcatg 1260 ctctggaatg tgctatggat atatttgact tctgctctca agtccacaaa atccaaactg 1320 tatccatcgg tgttgccagt gggattgtct tctgtgggat cgttggacac actgtgagac 1380 acgagtacac agtcattggt caaaaagtca acttagctgc caggatgatg atgtactacc 1440 caggaattgt gacctgcgac tctgtcacct acaatgggag caacctacca gcgtactttt 1500 ttaaagagct tccaaagaaa gttatgaaag gtgttgcaga ttctggacca ttgtatcagt 1560 attggggccg tactgagaaa gtcatgtttg gtatggcgtg cctcatctgc aacagaaagg 1620 aggattaccc tttgctggga cgtaataaag agatcaacta cttcatgtat actatgaaga 1680 aatttttgat atctaacagc agccaagtct taatgtatga gggattacca ggatatggaa 1740 aaagccagat acttatgaaa attgagtacc tggcccaagg taagaatcac aggattattg 1800 ccatttcatt gaataagatc agcttccatc aaactttcta taccatccag atgttcatgg 1860 ccaatgtcct aggcctagac acttgtaaac attataaaga acgacagacc aaccttcgaa 1920 ataaagtcat gacactgttg gatgaaaagt tctactgtct tcttaatgac attttccatg 1980 ttcagttccc tatttctcgg gagatttcca ggatgagcac cttgaaaaag caaaaacaat 2040 tggaaatatt gtttatgaag atcttgaagc tgatagtgaa agaggaaagg attattttta 2100 tcattgatga ggcccagttt gtggattcga cctcctggag atttatggag aagcttatcc 2160 ggactcttcc tatcttcatc attatgtccc tgtgtccctt cgttaacatt ccctgtgcag 2220 ctgccagggc cgtaataaag aacaggaaca ccacctacat tgtcattggt gcagtacagc 2280 ctaacgacat ctccaacaag atctgtcttg acctcaatgt gagctgcatc tccaaagaac 2340 tggactcgta cctgggggag ggaagctgtg ggattccatt ttactgtgaa gaattgctta 2400 aaaacctgga acatcatgag gtactcgttt tccaacaaac ggagtctgag gaaaagacaa 2460 ataggacctg gaataacctg ttcaagtatt ccattaagct aacagagaag ttaaacatgg 2520 ttactctcca tagtgataag gaaagtgaag aagtctgtca cctcacaagt ggtgtcagac 2580 tgaaaaacct gtcacctcca acgtcattaa aagaaatctc tctgatccag ctggatagca 2640 tgagactttc ccaccaaatg ctggtgagat gtgctgccat cattggcctg accttcacca 2700 ctgagttgtt gtttgagatt ctcccctgtt ggaatatgaa gatgatgatc aagaccctgg 2760 caaccctagt ggaatctaac attttttatt gtttccggaa tggcaaggag cttcaaaagg 2820 ccctgaaaca gaatgatccc tcatttgagg tgcactatcg ttccttgtct ctgaagccca 2880 gtgaagggat ggatcacggt gaagaggaac agcttcgtga actggagaat gaggtgatcg 2940 agtgccacag gattcgattc tgtaacccta tgatgcagaa aacagcctac gagctgtggc 3000 tcaaggacca gagaaaagcc atgcacttga aatgtgcccg ctttttagaa gaagatgccc 3060 acagatgtga ccactgccga ggcagggact tcattcccta tcatcacttc acagtgaata 3120 ttcggctcaa cgctttagac atggatgcca ttaaaaagat ggctatgtct catggattta 3180 aaactgaaga aaagcttatc ttgtccaact cagagattcc tgagacatct gcattttttc 3240 ctgaaaatcg cagtcctgaa gaaataagag aaaagatctt gaatttcttt gaccacgttt 3300 taacaaaaat gaagacatct gacgaagaca ttatccctct ggaatcttgc cagtgtgaag 3360 aaatcctaga gattgtcatc ttgcctctgg cccaccattt tctggctttg ggagaaaatg 3420 acaaagcctt atattacttc ttagaaattg catctgctta tctcatcttt tgtgataact 3480 acatggcata catgtatttg aatgaaggac agaagttgct aaaaactctc aagaaggaca 3540 aatcttggag ccagacattt gagtctgcca ccttttacag cctcaaaggt gaggtctgtt 3600 tcaatatggg ccagatagtg cttgccaaga aaatgctgag gaaggcactg aagctcctca 3660 accgaatctt tccttacaac ttaatctcct tgtttctcca tatccatgtc gagaaaaaca 3720 gacactttca ttatgtgaat cggcaggccc aagagagccc acctccaggg aagaagaggc 3780 tggcacaact ttaccggcaa actgtctgcc tttccttgct gtggcgcatc tatagctaca 3840 gttatctttt tcactgcaag tattatgccc acctggcagt tatgatgcaa atgaatactg 3900 cactggaaac tcaaaattgt ttccagatca ttaaggctta cctagactat tcgctatacc 3960 accacctggc tggctacaaa ggtgtgtggt tcaaatatga agtcatggcc atggagcaca 4020 tcttcaacct ccccctgaaa ggcgagggca ttgaaatcgt ggcatacgtg gctgagacac 4080 tggtcttcaa caagctcata atgggacacc tggatttggc cattgagtta ggctcccgag 4140 cccttcagat gtgggcactg ctccagaatc ccaaccgaca ttatcagtcc ctctgcagac 4200 ttagcagatg tctccttctg aacagtagat acccgcaatt gatccaggtg ccggggcggc 4260 tgtgggagct ttctgtaaca caggaacaca tcttcagcaa ggcatttttc tattttgtct 4320 gcttggacat cctgctttat tctggttttg tttatagaac atttgaagaa tgtttggaat 4380 tcatacacca atacgaaaac aacagaatcc tcaagttcca cagtggactc ctcctgggac 4440 tttattcctc tgtagctatc tggtatgcca gacttcagga atgggacaac ttttacaaat 4500 tttccaatag agctaaaaat cttttgccaa gaagaaccat gacacttact tactatgacg 4560 gaatatctag gtacatggag gggcaagttc ttcaccttca aaaacaaatc aaagaacagt 4620 cagagaatgc ccaagccagt ggggaggagc tactcaagaa cttggagaat ctggtggctc 4680 aaaataccac tggccctgtc ttttgcccaa ggctctacca cctgatggct tacgtctgta 4740 tattaatggg agatgggcag aaatgtggcc tcttcctgaa cacagccttg cggctctctg 4800 aaacacaggg gaatatactg gagaaatgct ggctgaacat gaacaaagaa tcatggtact 4860 caacctctga gttaaaagaa gaccaatggc ttcagacgat cttgagtctc ccatcatggg 4920 aaaaaattgt agcaggcagg gtaaacattc aggatcttca aaaaaacaaa ttcctgatga 4980 gagctaatac cgtggacaat catttctaa 5009 3 1610 PRT Homo sapiens 3 Met Asn Thr Pro Lys Glu Glu Phe Gln Asp Trp Pro Ile Val Arg Ile 1 5 10 15 Ala Ala His Leu Pro Asp Leu Ile Val Tyr Gly His Phe Ser Pro Glu 20 25 30 Arg Pro Phe Met Asp Tyr Phe Asp Gly Val Leu Met Phe Val Asp Ile 35 40 45 Ser Gly Phe Thr Ala Met Thr Glu Lys Phe Ser Ser Ala Met Tyr Met 50 55 60 Asp Arg Gly Ala Glu Gln Leu Val Glu Ile Leu Asn Tyr His Ile Ser 65 70 75 80 Ala Ile Val Glu Lys Val Leu Ile Phe Gly Gly Asp Ile Leu Lys Phe 85 90 95 Ala Gly Asp Ala Leu Leu Ala Leu Trp Arg Val Glu Arg Lys Gln Leu 100 105 110 Lys Asn Ile Ile Thr Val Val Ile Lys Cys Ser Leu Glu Ile His Gly 115 120 125 Leu Phe Glu Thr Gln Glu Trp Glu Glu Gly Leu Asp Ile Arg Val Lys 130 135 140 Ile Gly Leu Ala Ala Gly His Ile Ser Met Leu Val Phe Gly Asp Glu 145 150 155 160 Thr His Ser His Phe Leu Val Ile Gly Gln Ala Val Asp Asp Val Arg 165 170 175 Leu Ala Gln Asn Met Ala Gln Met Asn Asp Val Ile Leu Ser Pro Asn 180 185 190 Cys Trp Gln Leu Cys Asp Arg Ser Met Ile Glu Ile Glu Ser Val Pro 195 200 205 Asp Gln Arg Ala Val Lys Val Asn Phe Leu Lys Pro Pro Pro Asn Phe 210 215 220 Asn Phe Asp Glu Phe Phe Thr Lys Cys Thr Thr Phe Met His Tyr Tyr 225 230 235 240 Pro Ser Gly Glu His Lys Asn Leu Leu Arg Leu Ala Cys Thr Leu Lys 245 250 255 Pro Asp Pro Glu Leu Glu Met Ser Leu Gln Lys Tyr Val Met Glu Ser 260 265 270 Ile Leu Lys Gln Ile Asp Asn Lys Gln Leu Gln Gly Tyr Leu Ser Glu 275 280 285 Leu Arg Pro Val Thr Ile Val Phe Val Asn Leu Met Phe Glu Asp Gln 290 295 300 Asp Lys Ala Glu Glu Ile Gly Pro Ala Ile Gln Asp Ala Tyr Met His 305 310 315 320 Ile Thr Ser Val Leu Lys Ile Phe Gln Gly Gln Ile Asn Lys Val Phe 325 330 335 Met Phe Asp Lys Gly Cys Ser Phe Leu Cys Val Phe Gly Phe Pro Gly 340 345 350 Glu Lys Val Pro Asp Glu Leu Thr His Ala Leu Glu Cys Ala Met Asp 355 360 365 Ile Phe Asp Phe Cys Ser Gln Val His Lys Ile Gln Thr Val Ser Ile 370 375 380 Gly Val Ala Ser Gly Ile Val Phe Cys Gly Ile Val Gly His Thr Val 385 390 395 400 Arg His Glu Tyr Thr Val Ile Gly Gln Lys Val Asn Leu Ala Ala Arg 405 410 415 Met Met Met Tyr Tyr Pro Gly Ile Val Thr Cys Asp Ser Val Thr Tyr 420 425 430 Asn Gly Ser Asn Leu Pro Ala Tyr Phe Phe Lys Glu Leu Pro Lys Lys 435 440 445 Val Met Lys Gly Val Ala Asp Ser Gly Pro Leu Tyr Gln Tyr Trp Gly 450 455 460 Arg Thr Glu Lys Val Met Phe Gly Met Ala Cys Leu Ile Cys Asn Arg 465 470 475 480 Lys Glu Asp Tyr Pro Leu Leu Gly Arg Asn Lys Glu Ile Asn Tyr Phe 485 490 495 Met Tyr Thr Met Lys Lys Phe Leu Ile Ser Asn Ser Ser Gln Val Leu 500 505 510 Met Tyr Glu Gly Leu Pro Gly Tyr Gly Lys Ser Gln Ile Leu Met Lys 515 520 525 Ile Glu Tyr Leu Ala Gln Gly Lys Asn His Arg Ile Ile Ala Ile Ser 530 535 540 Leu Asn Lys Ile Ser Phe His Gln Thr Phe Tyr Thr Ile Gln Met Phe 545 550 555 560 Met Ala Asn Val Leu Gly Leu Asp Thr Cys Lys His Tyr Lys Glu Arg 565 570 575 Gln Thr Asn Leu Arg Asn Lys Val Met Thr Leu Leu Asp Glu Lys Phe 580 585 590 Tyr Cys Leu Leu Asn Asp Ile Phe His Val Gln Phe Pro Ile Ser Arg 595 600 605 Glu Ile Ser Arg Met Ser Thr Leu Lys Lys Gln Lys Gln Leu Glu Ile 610 615 620 Leu Phe Met Lys Ile Leu Lys Leu Ile Val Lys Glu Glu Arg Ile Ile 625 630 635 640 Phe Ile Ile Asp Glu Ala Gln Phe Val Asp Ser Thr Ser Trp Arg Phe 645 650 655 Met Glu Lys Leu Ile Arg Thr Leu Pro Ile Phe Ile Ile Met Ser Leu 660 665 670 Cys Pro Phe Val Asn Ile Pro Cys Ala Ala Ala Arg Ala Val Ile Lys 675 680 685 Asn Arg Asn Thr Thr Tyr Ile Val Ile Gly Ala Val Gln Pro Asn Asp 690 695 700 Ile Ser Asn Lys Ile Cys Leu Asp Leu Asn Val Ser Cys Ile Ser Lys 705 710 715 720 Glu Leu Asp Ser Tyr Leu Gly Glu Gly Ser Cys Gly Ile Pro Phe Tyr 725 730 735 Cys Glu Glu Leu Leu Lys Asn Leu Glu His His Glu Val Leu Val Phe 740 745 750 Gln Gln Thr Glu Ser Glu Glu Lys Thr Asn Arg Thr Trp Asn Asn Leu 755 760 765 Phe Lys Tyr Ser Ile Lys Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn Met Val Thr Leu 770 775 780 His Ser Asp Lys Glu Ser Glu Glu Val Cys His Leu Thr Ser Gly Val 785 790 795 800 Arg Leu Lys Asn Leu Ser Pro Pro Thr Ser Leu Lys Glu Ile Ser Leu 805 810 815 Ile Gln Leu Asp Ser Met Arg Leu Ser His Gln Met Leu Val Arg Cys 820 825 830 Ala Ala Ile Ile Gly Leu Thr Phe Thr Thr Glu Leu Leu Phe Glu Ile 835 840 845 Leu Pro Cys Trp Asn Met Lys Met Met Ile Lys Thr Leu Ala Thr Leu 850 855 860 Val Glu Ser Asn Ile Phe Tyr Cys Phe Arg Asn Gly Lys Glu Leu Gln 865 870 875 880 Lys Ala Leu Lys Gln Asn Asp Pro Ser Phe Glu Val His Tyr Arg Ser 885 890 895 Leu Ser Leu Lys Pro Ser Glu Gly Met Asp His Gly Glu Glu Glu Gln 900 905 910 Leu Arg Glu Leu Glu Asn Glu Val Ile Glu Cys His Arg Ile Arg Phe 915 920 925 Cys Asn Pro Met Met Gln Lys Thr Ala Tyr Glu Leu Trp Leu Lys Asp 930 935 940 Gln Arg Lys Ala Met His Leu Lys Cys Ala Arg Phe Leu Glu Glu Asp 945 950 955 960 Ala His Arg Cys Asp His Cys Arg Gly Arg Asp Phe Ile Pro Tyr His 965 970 975 His Phe Thr Val Asn Ile Arg Leu Asn Ala Leu Asp Met Asp Ala Ile 980 985 990 Lys Lys Met Ala Met Ser His Gly Phe Lys Thr Glu Glu Lys Leu Ile 995 1000 1005 Leu Ser Asn Ser Glu Ile Pro Glu Thr Ser Ala Phe Phe Pro Glu 1010 1015 1020 Asn Arg Ser Pro Glu Glu Ile Arg Glu Lys Ile Leu Asn Phe Phe 1025 1030 1035 Asp His Val Leu Thr Lys Met Lys Thr Ser Asp Glu Asp Ile Ile 1040 1045 1050 Pro Leu Glu Ser Cys Gln Cys Glu Glu Ile Leu Glu Ile Val Ile 1055 1060 1065 Leu Pro Leu Ala His His Phe Leu Ala Leu Gly Glu Asn Asp Lys 1070 1075 1080 Ala Leu Tyr Tyr Phe Leu Glu Ile Ala Ser Ala Tyr Leu Ile Phe 1085 1090 1095 Cys Asp Asn Tyr Met Ala Tyr Met Tyr Leu Asn Glu Gly Gln Lys 1100 1105 1110 Leu Leu Lys Thr Leu Lys Lys Asp Lys Ser Trp Ser Gln Thr Phe 1115 1120 1125 Glu Ser Ala Thr Phe Tyr Ser Leu Lys Gly Glu Val Cys Phe Asn 1130 1135 1140 Met Gly Gln Ile Val Leu Ala Lys Lys Met Leu Arg Lys Ala Leu 1145 1150 1155 Lys Leu Leu Asn Arg Ile Phe Pro Tyr Asn Leu Ile Ser Leu Phe 1160 1165 1170 Leu His Ile His Val Glu Lys Asn Arg His Phe His Tyr Val Asn 1175 1180 1185 Arg Gln Ala Gln Glu Ser Pro Pro Pro Gly Lys Lys Arg Leu Ala 1190 1195 1200 Gln Leu Tyr Arg Gln Thr Val Cys Leu Ser Leu Leu Trp Arg Ile 1205 1210 1215 Tyr Ser Tyr Ser Tyr Leu Phe His Cys Lys Tyr Tyr Ala His Leu 1220 1225 1230 Ala Val Met Met Gln Met Asn Thr Ala Leu Glu Thr Gln Asn Cys 1235 1240 1245 Phe Gln Ile Ile Lys Ala Tyr Leu Asp Tyr Ser Leu Tyr His His 1250 1255 1260 Leu Ala Gly Tyr Lys Gly Val Trp Phe Lys Tyr Glu Val Met Ala 1265 1270 1275 Met Glu His Ile Phe Asn Leu Pro Leu Lys Gly Glu Gly Ile Glu 1280 1285 1290 Ile Val Ala Tyr Val Ala Glu Thr Leu Val Phe Asn Lys Leu Ile 1295 1300 1305 Met Gly His Leu Asp Leu Ala Ile Glu Leu Gly Ser Arg Ala Leu 1310 1315 1320 Gln Met Trp Ala Leu Leu Gln Asn Pro Asn Arg His Tyr Gln Ser 1325 1330 1335 Leu Cys Arg Leu Ser Arg Cys Leu Leu Leu Asn Ser Arg Tyr Pro 1340 1345 1350 Gln Leu Ile Gln Val Pro Gly Arg Leu Trp Glu Leu Ser Val Thr 1355 1360 1365 Gln Glu His Ile Phe Ser Lys Ala Phe Phe Tyr Phe Val Cys Leu 1370 1375 1380 Asp Ile Leu Leu Tyr Ser Gly Phe Val Tyr Arg Thr Phe Glu Glu 1385 1390 1395 Cys Leu Glu Phe Ile His Gln Tyr Glu Asn Asn Arg Ile Leu Lys 1400 1405 1410 Phe His Ser Gly Leu Leu Leu Gly Leu Tyr Ser Ser Val Ala Ile 1415 1420 1425 Trp Tyr Ala Arg Leu Gln Glu Trp Asp Asn Phe Tyr Lys Phe Ser 1430 1435 1440 Asn Arg Ala Lys Asn Leu Leu Pro Arg Arg Thr Met Thr Leu Thr 1445 1450 1455 Tyr Tyr Asp Gly Ile Ser Arg Tyr Met Glu Gly Gln Val Leu His 1460 1465 1470 Leu Gln Lys Gln Ile Lys Glu Gln Ser Glu Asn Ala Gln Ala Ser 1475 1480 1485 Gly Glu Glu Leu Leu Lys Asn Leu Glu Asn Leu Val Ala Gln Asn 1490 1495 1500 Thr Thr Gly Pro Val Phe Cys Pro Arg Leu Tyr His Leu Met Ala 1505 1510 1515 Tyr Val Cys Ile Leu Met Gly Asp Gly Gln Lys Cys Gly Leu Phe 1520 1525 1530 Leu Asn Thr Ala Leu Arg Leu Ser Glu Thr Gln Gly Asn Ile Leu 1535 1540 1545 Glu Lys Cys Trp Leu Asn Met Asn Lys Glu Ser Trp Tyr Ser Thr 1550 1555 1560 Ser Glu Leu Lys Glu Asp Gln Trp Leu Gln Thr Ile Leu Ser Leu 1565 1570 1575 Pro Ser Trp Glu Lys Ile Val Ala Gly Arg Val Asn Ile Gln Asp 1580 1585 1590 Leu Gln Lys Asn Lys Phe Leu Met Arg Ala Asn Thr Val Asp Asn 1595 1600 1605 His Phe 1610 4 411 PRT Homo sapiens 4 Leu Met Phe Val Asp Ile Ser Gly Phe Thr Ala Met Thr Glu Lys Phe 1 5 10 15 Ser Ser Ala Met Tyr Met Asp Arg Gly Ala Glu Gln Leu Val Glu Ile 20 25 30 Leu Asn Tyr His Ile Ser Ala Ile Val Glu Lys Val Leu Ile Phe Gly 35 40 45 Gly Asp Ile Leu Lys Phe Ala Gly Asp Ala Leu Leu Ala Leu Trp Arg 50 55 60 Val Glu Arg Lys Gln Leu Lys Asn Ile Ile Thr Val Val Ile Lys Cys 65 70 75 80 Ser Leu Glu Ile His Gly Leu Phe Glu Thr Gln Glu Trp Glu Glu Gly 85 90 95 Leu Asp Ile Arg Val Lys Ile Gly Leu Ala Ala Gly His Ile Ser Met 100 105 110 Leu Val Phe Gly Asp Glu Thr His Ser His Phe Leu Val Ile Gly Gln 115 120 125 Ala Val Asp Asp Val Arg Leu Ala Gln Asn Met Ala Gln Met Asn Asp 130 135 140 Val Ile Leu Ser Pro Asn Cys Trp Gln Leu Cys Asp Arg Ser Met Ile 145 150 155 160 Glu Ile Glu Ser Val Pro Asp Gln Arg Ala Val Lys Val Asn Phe Leu 165 170 175 Lys Pro Pro Pro Asn Phe Asn Phe Asp Glu Phe Phe Thr Lys Cys Thr 180 185 190 Thr Phe Met His Tyr Tyr Pro Ser Gly Glu His Lys Asn Leu Leu Arg 195 200 205 Leu Ala Cys Thr Leu Lys Pro Asp Pro Glu Leu Glu Met Ser Leu Gln 210 215 220 Lys Tyr Val Met Glu Ser Ile Leu Lys Gln Ile Asp Asn Lys Gln Leu 225 230 235 240 Gln Gly Tyr Leu Ser Glu Leu Arg Pro Val Thr Ile Val Phe Val Asn 245 250 255 Leu Met Phe Glu Asp Gln Asp Lys Ala Glu Glu Ile Gly Pro Ala Ile 260 265 270 Gln Asp Ala Tyr Met His Ile Thr Ser Val Leu Lys Ile Phe Gln Gly 275 280 285 Gln Ile Asn Lys Val Phe Met Phe Asp Lys Gly Cys Ser Phe Leu Cys 290 295 300 Val Phe Gly Phe Pro Gly Glu Lys Val Pro Asp Glu Leu Thr His Ala 305 310 315 320 Leu Glu Cys Ala Met Asp Ile Phe Asp Phe Cys Ser Gln Val His Lys 325 330 335 Ile Gln Thr Val Ser Ile Gly Val Ala Ser Gly Ile Val Phe Cys Gly 340 345 350 Ile Val Gly His Thr Val Arg His Glu Tyr Thr Val Ile Gly Gln Lys 355 360 365 Val Asn Leu Ala Ala Arg Met Met Met Tyr Tyr Pro Gly Ile Val Thr 370 375 380 Cys Asp Ser Val Thr Tyr Asn Gly Ser Asn Leu Pro Ala Tyr Phe Phe 385 390 395 400 Lys Glu Leu Pro Lys Lys Val Met Lys Gly Val 405 410 5 16 PRT Homo sapiens 5 Cys Thr Leu Lys Pro Asp Pro Glu Leu Glu Met Ser Leu Gln Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 6 1224 DNA Homo sapiens 6 atgtttgttg atatttcagg ttttactgca atgactgaga agttcagcag tgccatgtac 60 atggacagag gggctgagca gttggtggag atcctcaact accacataag tgcaatagtg 120 gagaaagtgt tgatttttgg aggagacatc ctgaaatttg caggtgatgc actgctagcc 180 ctgtggaggg tggagcgaaa gcagctgaaa aacattatca cagtggtaat taaatgtagc 240 ctggagatcc atggattgtt tgagacccag gagtgggaag aaggcctaga catccgagtc 300 aagataggac tggctgctgg ccacatcagc atgttggtct ttggagatga aacacacagc 360 cactttctgg tgattggtca ggcagtggac gatgtgcgcc ttgcccagaa catggctcag 420 atgaatgatg ttattctgtc accaaactgc tggcagctct gtgaccggag catgattgaa 480 attgagagtg ttccagatca gagagcagtt aaggttaact tcttaaaacc accccccaat 540 tttaattttg atgaattttt cacaaagtgt acgaccttca tgcattatta tccttctggt 600 gagcacaaaa acctcctgag gcttgcatgc acgctgaagc ctgatcctga actggagatg 660 tccctacaaa agtatgtgat ggaaagcatt ttgaagcaga ttgataacaa acagcttcag 720 ggctatttat ctgagcttcg cccagtgacg attgtgtttg tgaacctgat gtttgaagac 780 caagacaaag cagaagagat aggcccagcc atccaggatg cctatatgca catcacttct 840 gtcctgaaga tcttccaagg ccaaatcaat aaagtcttca tgtttgacaa gggctgctct 900 ttcctctgtg tctttggctt ccctggggaa aaggtacctg acgagctcac tcatgctctg 960 gaatgtgcta tggatatatt tgacttctgc tctcaagtcc acaaaatcca aactgtatcc 1020 atcggtgttg ccagtgggat tgtcttctgt gggatcgttg gacacactgt gagacacgag 1080 tacacagtca ttggtcaaaa agtcaactta gctgccagga tgatgatgta ctacccagga 1140 attgtgacct gcgactctgt cacctacaat gggagcaacc taccagcgta cttttttaaa 1200 gagcttccaa agaaagttat gaaa 1224 

1. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO:4.
 2. The polypeptide of claim 1 wherein the amino acid sequence is SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO:
 4. 3. A purified polypeptide having adenylyl cyclase activity and comprising an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 3 by one or more conservative amino acid substitutions.
 4. A nucleic acid sequence comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 2. 5. A nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a 100 nucleotide fragment of SEQ ID NO: 2 under stringent conditions.
 6. A transgenic host cell comprising the nucleotide sequence of claim
 4. 7. An isolated antibody that binds specifically to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 8. The antibody of claim 8 wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
 9. A composition comprising a human adenylyl cyclase and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. A method for detecting compounds that inhibit human soluble adenylyl cyclase activity, said method comprising the steps of contacting a polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4, with a compound; measuring adenylyl cyclase activity in the presence of said compound; and identifying compounds that decrease the activity of adenylyl cyclase.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of testing said identified compounds for inhibitory activity against a somatic adenylyl cyclase.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein adenylyl cyclase activity is determined by radioimmunoassay measurements of cAMP formed from ATP. 